as in to attribute
to explain (something) as being the result of something else ascribed their stunning military victory to good intelligence beforehand

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word ascribe different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ascribe are assign, attribute, credit, and impute. While all these words mean "to lay something to the account of a person or thing," ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

When could assign be used to replace ascribe?

The words assign and ascribe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

How is attribute related to other words for ascribe?

Attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.

attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

When would credit be a good substitute for ascribe?

Although the words credit and ascribe have much in common, credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation.

credited his teammates for his success

Where would impute be a reasonable alternative to ascribe?

While the synonyms impute and ascribe are close in meaning, impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ascribe There are four quadrants, ranges to ascribe value to a game played, tying in with the NET to sort out the level of competition. Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 Brat occupied the collective consciousness and became a shorthand to describe people daring enough to be bold in the face of potential scrutiny, as ascribed to Kamala Harris’ unexpected presidential run after President Biden dropped out of the race. Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 The show’s casting made sure to not ascribe to just one type of beauty. Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 6 Feb. 2025 Can the conclusion that one claim is more valid than the other be ascribed to Western bias? Ralph Leonard, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ascribe

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Cite this Entry

“Ascribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascribe. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ascribe

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